UFC 135 play by play and live results

DENVER – MMAjunkie.com is on scene and reporting live from “UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage.”

The pay-per-view event, which features a light heavyweight title fight between current champ Jon Jones and former titleholder Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, takes place at Denver’s Pepsi Center.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results
beginning at approximately 6:40 p.m. ET (4:40 p.m. MT local time) for
the preliminary card and 9 p.m. ET for the main card.

In addition to the night’s main card – which also features Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck, Rob Broughton vs. Travis Browne, Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi and Mark Hunt vs. Ben Rothwell – UFC 135 features a two-bout “UFC Prelims” special on Spike TV and an additional three fights that stream on Facebook.

To discuss tonight’s show, be sure to check out our UFC 135 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) via Twitter.

Round 1 – Referee Tim Mills in charge of the evening’s first bout, a light-heavyweight affair. Te Huna takes the center and avoids a telegraphed Romero shot. Romero presses in again and gets clipped by a short punch. He drops, but he recovers quickly and dives for a leg. Te Huna pulls away and resets. Romero continues to shoot, but the moves are terribly ineffective. Te Huna sprawls and brawls, and another series of right hands puts Romero on the deck. He’s out, and Mills wisely calls the fight. James Te Huna def. Ricardo Romero via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:47

Round 1 – Referee Adam Martinez oversees this bantamweight affair. Escovedo goes to the center, but it’s Mizugaki who leaps forward with combinations. Mizugaki pressuring early, and Escovedo looks a little frustrated. Mizugaki presses in against the cage, but Escovedo circles off and drives a knee to the gut. Mizugaki scampers away and resets. Mizugaki navigating the reach disadvantage very well in the early going. Escovedo attacking with kicks, but it’s his opponent’s hands doing the big damage early. Two minutes in, and Mizugaki is pressing in against the cage. Crowd doesn’t like the clinch. Mizugaki dirty boxing, and he scores a trip. Escovedo pushes back with his legs, and they return to the feet. Escovedo leaps up for a flying triangle, but Mizugaki wisely shakes the legs off the shoulder and takes top position. Escovedo works his legs high, and Mizugaki backs away. Two-punch combination for Mizugaki. Escovedo presses in and has a flying knee blocked. Punches traded inside, and Escovedo does land a few crisp short elbows. Crowd likes the exchange. Escovedo finding range in the final minute, but Mizugaki answering right back. Fun opening round, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Mizugaki, 10-9.

Round 2 – Mizugaki opens with an inside low kick. After Escovedo hits the deck briefly, he stands and eats several Mizugaki punches. Mizugaki just a touch quicker, and Escovedo a little hesitant. Escovedo also not using his length very well right now. Leaping two-punch combination for Mizugaki. A straight scores, as well. He works the body. Mizugaki with a boxing clinic. Escovedo lands a high kick that Mizugaki can’t avoid. Halfway into the frame. Mizugaki continues to land with wide hooks, and he works the ribs, as well. Mizugaki with an uppercut and a hook. He’s picking Escovedo apart with two minutes left in the round. Straight right for Escovedo lands, but he’s throwing one strike at a time. Left hand sends Escovedo to the floor. Mizugaki elects not to follow, and Escsovedo stands. Escovedo grabs a Thai clinch, but Mizugaki rips him with several punches to the head and body. Mizugaki is on fire in round two. Left to the body, right to the head. Mizugaki sends Escovedo to the floor again. He gets up only to be dropped again, and Martinez calls the fight. Outstanding work from Mizugaki. Takeya Mizugaki def. Cole Escovedo via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:30

Round 1 – Referee Josh Rosenthal makes his first appearance of the night. Yagin strikes a low stance. Assuncao stoic from just out of range. Both fighters start to bounce a bit, but neither is striking. Boos come 30 seconds in. Assuncao has missed a pair of front kicks. He misses a low kick, as well. Boos continue to come as Assuncao darts in and out of range. Yagin snaps off a high kick that’s blocked. Yagin short on two quick punches. Assuncao maintaining range, but he’s slow to strike. Yagin works in an overhand right. Assuncao ducks in and lands a takedown, pressing his opponent against the cage. Assuncao postures to pass the legs, but Yagin battles well to keep guard. Yagin rolls the hips and tries to trap an arm. Two minutes remain. Assuncao lands a few firm left hands to the head before Yagin kicks him away. Slow pace again on the feet. Assuncao holds his hands wide, but Yagin won’t overcommit. Assuncao circling left and gets another takedown. Yagin throws elbows from his back. Round ends there to a chorus of boos. MMAjunkie.com scores the round even, 10-10, not wanting to reward the two takedowns, which resulted in zero offense for Assuncao.

Round 2 – Yagin looks to strikes early, but he pulls back a flying knee. An Assuncao kick is blocked. He ducks in for a takedown but eats a knee for his efforts. Assuncao kicks to the body, but it’s blocked. Both fighters just seem to want to counter, and the result is a slow fight. Assuncao shoots in, and Yagin turns his back while defending. Assuncao takes the opportunity and leaps to back control. He slides off, and Yagin turns in. Nothing there, and they separate. Assuncao lands a straight right. Yagin started to breathe a little deeply. Halfway in, and more boos come forward as neither fighter is willing to lead the charge. Assuncao lands a left, and he follows with a low kick. Yagin standing in the center, and he does work in a Superman punch. Assuncao changing levels on the outside, and he scores with a left. Assuncao shuffles his feet, but that draws the biggest boos of the night. Gotta strike if you want to showboat. Assuncao shoots in again, an Yagin grabs a guillotine. He’s only got half-guard, and Assuncao tells Rosenthal to stay away. Less than a minute, and Assuncao lands a few elbows and punches to the body. Yagin spins and woks back to his feet, and they break away again. Inside leg kick for Assuncao. Yagin misses with a punch, and the round ends. MMAjunkie.com sees it for Assuncao, 10-9. Crowd just sees red.

Round 3 – Yagin comes out striking in the final round. Assuncao shoots in, but he’s forced to fall back and pull guard. Nothing there, and both fighters scramble up. Assuncao lands a left and avoids the counter. Yagin is stalking, and he nearly catches a front kick. Assuncao shoots in again, and Yagin wants that guillotine. He wraps the neck and leaps up, circling his legs around the waist. Tense moments for Assuncao, but he eventually shakes the choke free and sets up in Yagin’s guard. Assuncao advances to half-mount and fires off a few left hands. Halfway in, and more punches are finding the mark. Yagin is against the cage, and he looks to finding escape very difficult. More punches from Assuncao, and he’s mixing in a few right hands now. They’re not massive blows, but Yagin is not answering from the bottom. Assuncao wraps the left arm around the neck, but he releases in favor of more ground and pound. Rosenthal watching closely. Again, not massive shots, but Yagin has done nothing to suggest he can escape. Clock winding down. Assuncao still firing punches while remaining conscious of the position. Assuncao flurries n the closing seconds, but the fight ends without a finish. MMAjunkie.com sees the final round for Assuncao, 10-9, giving him the fight 30-28. Junior Assuncao def. Eddie Yagin via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

Round 1 – Referee Mario Yamasaki in the cage as we go live on Spike TV. Boetsch walks forward to meet Ring, who shuffles back and forth on the outside. Boetsch lunges with a few punches that miss, and Ring very active with his feet early but has offered few strikes. Boetsch cutting off the cage well, but Ring grabs one of his kicks and throws him to the floor. Boetsch on his knees, and Ring controls the head. Two minutes in, and the position is a but stagnant, but Ring tries to circle and drive knees to the body. The two finally release and reset on the feet. Boetsch stalking, but Ring doing well to avoid. Boetsch nearly has another kick caught, but he pulls away. Boetsch slips a little, but Ring stays away. Boos from the crowd. Just not much to score, as Ring is avoiding well but not offering much in return. MMAjunkie.com will lean slightly toward Ring, 10-9.

Round 2 – Boetsch stalking again, but Ring continues to circle away and avoid damage. Boetsch finally scores a stiff right, but Ring stays in the pocket. Ring has a takedown attempt stuffed. Boetsch controlling the center of the cage, but he can’t land the bomb he’s seeking. Ring high kick blocked. Boetsch does land another right, and it buckles Ring, but he pops up and presses in against the cage. Boetsch scores a takedown, but Ring pops up. Boetsch grabs a guillotine on the right side and falls to his back. Boetsch has guard, but he can’t finish the squeeze. Ring pops his head out with two minutes remaining and sets up on top. Ring stands and tries to dive in, but Boetsch works up to his knees. He pushes up to his feet and blasts Ring with a hook. One minute, and Ring is on shaky legs against the cage. He pulls away and resets, but Boetsch continues the charge. Ring firing back, but he’s not 100 percent clear. Boetsch scores a sweet trip at the bell and looks for a kimura, but there’s no time to finish. Solid round for Boetsch, who takes it on the MMAjunkie.com card, 10-9.

Round 3 – Boetsch stalking to open, but Ring looks a little better to start. The two clinch with little success. Left hook for Boetsch scores. He’s moving forward and scores with a knee, as well. Bodylock for Boetsch, and Ring’s right arm stuck inside. Still, not much there, and Yamasaki calls for a reset. Ring still retreating and looking to counter, but the spring is gone from his step. Boetsch now turning this into a grinding affair. A trip puts Ring on his back again, and he grabs full guard. Yamasaki calls for action. Not much happening, and the pair is brought to their feet again. Ring slow to rise. He continues to retreat and circle right. Boetsch drives in and scores an amazing hip toss, moving immediately into a crucifix. He releases to advance to mount. He’s also got the arm trapped, but nothing is there. Final seconds, and Boetsch finishes on top. He gets a nice ovation when he rises. MMAjunkie.com sees the round for Boetsch, 10-9, awarding him the fight, 29-28. Tim Boetsch def. Nick Ring via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Round 1 – Referee Tom Johnson oversees the night’s final preliminary bout. Both fighters push in quickly. Southpaw Riley in the center. Quick strikes from both in the early going. Ferguson with a stiff right, but he’s turned with an inside leg kick. Ferguson pushes Riley to the floor on a high kick, but he pops right back up. Ferguson landing cleaner on the early going, but both are rattling off strikes. Riley pawing his jab. Straight from Ferguson wobble Riley, and an uppercut follows shortly after. Riley backing away to reset and recover. Riley lets him off the hook in the early going, but he’s brimming with confidence. Another straight from Ferguson. Riley launches a kick that misses. Riley appears to catch Ferguson low, but he lands a stiff punch and keeps moving in. Riley bleeding from the mouth. Riley’s jaw does not look right at all. One minute left, and Ferguson continues to stalk. Riley rattling off shots in the pocket, but Ferguson is too much in round one. MMAjunkie.com gives it to Ferguson, 10-9. It won’t matter, as Riley’s jaw is broken, and the fight is waved off. Tony Ferguson def. Aaron Riley via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00

Round 1 – Referee Mario Yamasaki in charge of the night’s first pay-per-view matchup. Gomi and Diaz meet in the center and start pawing jabs. Diaz keeping his distance early. He drops Gomi with a left. He rushes in, but he stays away from any counters. Gomi recovers quickly, but he does eat a few shots. Gomi wings a big right that just misses. Diaz landing from distance right now, and a hook lands flush. Gomi still winging heavy leather two minutes in, but Diaz has avoided well this far. Diaz drops his hands as he moves in. Dangerous, but it’s working this far. Diaz taunts with his right hand and pops the chin. Diaz having his way as he peppers Gomi from the outside. Gomi drops for a leg, and Diaz takes the back. Gomi defends well and returns to his feet. Diaz returns to the boxing assault. Gomi clinches up and pushes into top position, but Diaz fires the legs up for a triangle choke. Gomi tries to slam out of the hold, but it’s deep. Diaz switches to an armbar and gets the tap. Incredible performance from Diaz. Nate Diaz def. Takanori Gomi via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:27

Round 1 – Referee Josh Rosenthal in the cage to oversee this heavyweight contest.Touch of gloves to start. Browne misses with a huge overhand right then kicks the leg. Left hand low, Browne wings another big right. They clinch up, and Broughton avoids a knee as they move away. Browne returns to the low kick, and that looks like it may be there all night. Broughton in the center, but he has yet to really attack. Browne lands two punches and then asks why his opponent isn’t returning fire. Both fighters work the body, and Browne returns to the leg. Broughton is moving forward, but he still is yet to truly attack. Browne misses a front kick. There’s a right from Broughton that’s just short. Hands traded in close quarters. Broughton now kicks the leg. He’s still moving forward, but Browne lands another punch up top and another slashing kick to the leg. Right hand for Browne staggers Broughton, but a follow-up flying knee is short. Browne still looking for that big right. He ducks in for a single-leg and moves straight to mount. A few big elbows land, but Broughton ties it up until the bell. MMAjunkie.com sees it for Browne, 10-9.

Round 2 – Broughton opens with a low kick and jabs. Browne misses a big right uppercut. Broughton does look like he wants to be a little more active this round. Browne starting to hang he jaw a bit, and drills the leg again. The big right continues to miss, but Browne keeps throwing it. Broughton catches a high kick but can’t bring Browne to the floor. It’s still a very methodic pace, and Broughton is moving forward but not landing. Browne scores four punches and drives in a few knees in an impressive flurry. Still, the durable Broughton covers up against the cage and survives. Halfway into the round. They break away, and Browne again finds success with the straight. Browne tries to bring the fight to the floor with a toss, but Broughton stays upright. Boos from the crowd.Brown’s mouth wide open, but he’s chopping at the legs. Overhand right lands for Browne, but Broughton doesn’t budge. Final minute, and Brown pulls the single again, moving directly into mount. He plants his base and delivers a few punches. Broughton spins and turtles, and the round ends. It’s another frame for Browne on the MMAjunkie.com card, 10-9.

Round 3 – Broughton again looks like he wants to bang, but Browne hits him with a low kick. Browne has his mouth open and his hands low, but Broughton hasn’t really threatened with anything just yet. Broughton does land a nice overhand right as he moves into the clinch. Browne looks like he wants to rest a bit to open. He shoots the single again, and Broughton tries desperately to grab a choke. He slips off, and Browne presses in from the top. Browne in half-mount, and he’s trying to pass, but Broughton is tying up well underneath. Still, he’s going to need to get up if he wants to win. Rosenthal watching closely, but Browne pulls his right leg through and keeps the action on the mat. Broughton rolls to his knees. Two minutes remain, and Browne tries to score with hammerfists. Broughton moves again, and Browne is now in mount. Clock ticking for Broughton. Browne doing just enough to keep the fight where he wants it. Broughton grabs an arm and scores a sweep, but Browne simply pushes him right back onto the floor. Less than a minute. Broughton rolls to the right, looking for a kimura. Browne feels it and slips free, and that should do it. Broughton climbs to his feet in the final seconds, but the fight ends in the clinch. It’s a clean sweep for Browne, who takes the round 10-9 on the MMAjunkie.com card, winning the fight 30-27. Travis Browne def. Rob Broughton via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Round 1 – Referee Adam Martinez in the cage. Rothwell holds the center and paws jabs from distance. He shoots in early, but Hunt avoids the rush. Left hook for hunt lands flush. Hunt fires that lead hook again, and Rothwell needs to be wary. Rothwell not utilizing his length early. Rothwell drops again for a takedown. Not there, and Hunt lands two punches. Lead hook again for Hunt. Rothwell walks into more punches, He finally gets the takedown and moves into mount. The two scramble, and Hunt is on his side with his back to the cage. Rothwell pressing in from the side, but he allows Hunt to regain his feet. Hunt sprawls again. And again. Rothwell not really setting up the takedowns. Still, he drives in to no avail. Hunt just misses a huge uppercut. He does land a few overhands. Rothwell shoots again. This time Hunt pushes him back and takes top position. Rothwell rises and has a blood on his face. Hunt has it on his head. Rothwell drops Hunt briefly. He rises, and Rothwell takes him down. Blood everywhere, and it’s tough to tell exactly where i’s all coming from. Hunt looks to have faded in the closing seconds. Back and forth action in the round, but MMAjunkie.com likes Rothwell, 10-9.

Round 2 – Hunt with that lead hook to open. Big uppercuts miss. Hunt breathing very hard, and he lands a nice low kick. Rothwell stationary on the feet. Hunt winging big punches but missing. Hunt scores again with the low kick. Rothwell gets two straights in. Rothwell misses a takedown and presses into the clinch. It’s Hunt that takes the trip and works to top. Rothwell gets guard underneath, but Hunt is firing off some big punches on top. Rothwell’s right eye has a gash over it. Halfway into the frame. Rothwell wants to bring the left leg high, but Hunt uses the cage to prevent a pass. Hunt drives a few elbows to the chest. Rothwell gets the legs on the shoulder, but Hunt pulls away and passes the legs with a crisp punch. Hunt just grinding away on top. Short hammerfists land. Rothwell scrambles to his knees. Hunt driving uppercuts underneath the arm. Hunt steps over. The armbar is there, He takes it. Seriously. Rothwell defends, and Hunt can’t finish the hold. But it’s all Hint in round two, and MMAjunkie.com gives it to him 10-9, bordering on 10-8.

Round 3 – Rothwell looks exhausted, but he wings a right. Hunt is right there to answer inside. Hunt sprawls and nails Rothwell with a right on his knees. He’s wobbled. Spinning strike from Hunt, and this has turned into one ugly brawl. Hunt scores another takedown and starts to grind away from Rothwell’s guard. Not sure how much the heavyweights till have in this final five minutes. Boos erupt, and Martinez gives them what they want pretty quickly. Rothwell shoots, and Hunt is just stuffing it an moving away. Rothwell continues to push forward. He misses another takedown and goes to his knees. Hunt on the side, and he lands a a few left hands. They rise on their own. Hunt lands a huge right and starts to get cocky. He’s walking around, hands by his side and firing punches. Hunt now drops down and takes the fight to the floor. Little action once there, and crowd wants them up. Martinez lets Hunt work from side control. Rothwell is flat on his back and probably not that interested in moving from there. Martinez is going to make him. Rothwell very slow to rise. He just staggers forward. Hunt drills him with an uppercut. Punches land, as well as a kick. Crowd wants a finish. Hunt shoots, and the boos come back. Hunt could have just made himself a hero, but he may be too tired to worry about that. Rothwell actually scrambles to top, but he doesn’t have time to finish. Hunt takes the final round, 10-9, on the MMAjunkie.com card, giving him the fight 29-28. Mark Hunt def. Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)

Round 1 – Referee Mario Yamasaki in the cage for the evening’s co-main event. Koscheck charges forward to meet Hughes. The crowd erupts in support of Hughes as the two paw a few jabs and feel out the distance. Hughes scores a clean jab. Both are changing levels and darting in and out. Koscheck charges with a combo that largely misses, but it was quick. Koscheck looks to the side and spits, and Hughes pops him with a jab. Both fighters landing a few punches, but neither has scores a direct hit. Hghes’ jab more of a tactical annoyance, while Koscheck is missing on bombs. Now Hughes starts to open a little more. Halfway in, and he’s more than holding his own. Koscheck throwing the bigger shots, but it’s Hughes landing with more frequency. Koscheck shoots in, but Hughes is ip to the task and delivers a knee inside. One minute remains. Hughes working the jab. Koscheck lands one big right but misses a second. Hughes moves in, but Koscheck tags him again. Koscheck’s best punches came there. Hughes hits the deck. Koscheck stands over him and delivers big punches. Hughes rolls to his chest, and Yamasaki waves it off as the bell sounds. Timing may have been a little controversial, but Hughes struggles to even kneel, justifying Yamasaki’s call. Josh Koscheck def. Matt Hughes via KO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59

Round 1 – Referee Josh Rosenthal in the cage for tonight’s main event with the UFC light heavyweight title on the line. Jones actually walks forward from a kneeling position and dives for a leg. Not there, so they move into the clinch. Jackson with his back against the cage, and the crowd is behind him. Early knee, and Jackson tells Rosenthal it as to the groin. No stop. The two circle on the cage. Jones sneaks in a left hand and continues to press in. Methodical open, and Jackson complains to Rosenthal again, though it’s unclear what for this time. Two minutes in, they finally reset in the center. Jones paws a few kicks from the outside. They’re in the clinch again, and Jones nearly scores a trip. Jackson moves forward with a big hook, but Jones backs away and lands a high kick. Jones kicks high then low. Left hand up the middle. Jackson unfazed thus far and continues to walk forward. Jones kicking the knee, and he pulls back on a leaping strike. Instead, he pushes into the clinch again. Jackson tries to slip an uppercut inside. Jones pulls away with a spinning elbow, but Jackson there to block. High kick blocked by Jackson, and je ducks under a kick. He punches hard at the end, but Jones just pulls away. Round ends to thunderous applause, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Jones, 10-9.

Round 2 – Crowd electric to open the second. Jackson forward quickly. Jones high kick glances off the head. Jackson pressuring now, and he comes up just short on a straight as they move into the clinch. Jones knees the body. Jackson ducks a spinning elbow, but Jones wraps the neck. He tries a takedown, but it’s not there. Jackson now kicks the leg. Straight scores for Jones, and Jackson acknowledges the strike. Jackson with nice head movement as he stalks. Jones able to scamper away. Jones mixing in kicks, but Jackson blocking most. Jackson launches a lead left. Jones still working the low kicks. Jones now throwing the kicks a little more firm. Jackson now trying to time a counter over the top, but Jones is starting to wobble him with the blows. Spinning kick to Jackson’s body. One minute remains. Jackson still blocking the kicks. Lead left does score for Jackson, but Jones fine. Jones fires off straight punches. One lands, but Jackson slips several others. Clinch in the final seconds, and Jones launches himself into a flying triangle. He doesn’t have time to finish. MMAjunkie.com sees it again for Jones, 10-9.

Round 3 – Jackson’s corner implores him to press going into the third, and it nearly pays off with a big winging hook. Jackson licks the leg and leads with a few hooks. Jones still landing with shots to the leg and asa few straights. He dives in for the takedown and gets to side control. From there, it’s a quick step over to mount. Jackson tries to buck underneath, but Jones walks him to the cage. Jones postures, but Jackson sits up and powers to his feet. Still, Jones is right there in the clinch. Jones releases and backs away, and he kicks to the body. Jackson walking forward, and Jones looks to measure him as he retreats. Jackson’s right eye reddened from the blows. Jones pops him with a few more shots, and Jackson leaps forward in desperation. Jones scampers away, and Jackson is beginning to look very frustrated. Blood trickling down Jackson’s face, and Jones leaps forward with a knee. He’s extremely comfortable in there with less than minute left. Jones starting to wag his hands a little bit and roll his shoulders. Jackson retreats, but Jones refuses to get too close. Jones soots in at the bell, and gives Jackson a little lift after it sounds. Jackson didn’t like, and neither did the crowd. Still MMAjunkie.com takes another round, 10-9.

Round 4 – Jackson in the center of the cage at the bell. He presses, but Jones clips him. He fakes injury and retreats to the cage, but he doesn’t capitalize on the champ’s move in. Jones moves into the clinch, and he drags Jackson to the floor. Jackson seated against the cage, and Jones works in a few short forearm strikes. Jackson scrambles to his knees, and Jones locks in a rear-naked choke. Jones is firm on the back and squeezes the choke as he rolls. It’s there, and Jackson is stuck. Game over. Jon Jones def. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 4, 1:14 (to retain light-heavyweight title)

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